Heavy Metal Analysis in Some Water Types from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and Future Aspirations of Water Resources Management.

Abstract

A comparative evaluation of the heavy metals Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper and Zinc in versatile water resources in Egypt and Saudi Arabia was conducted during the summer of 2015. All the studied water brands contained markedly scarce amounts of Arsenic, which was under the limit of detection. Chromium was also found to be under the limit of detection in Baraka, Nestle Pure Life, Hayat, Aman Siwa and Siwa from the water market at Mansoura (Egypt). Similar finding was recorded for Cadmium in Aman Siwa and Lead in Hayat, Aman Siwa and Siwa water brands. The highest levels of Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead and Zinc were recorded in Baraka, Aquafina, Dasani, Safi and Aquafina water brands, respectively. However, the lowest amounts of these metals were detected in Siwa, Safi, Safi, Nestle Pure Life and Aman Siwa, respectively. Ablution water showed undesirable amounts of Zinc (0.25 ppm). Street coolers recorded relatively low amounts of Chromium (0.09 ppm) and Zinc (0.10 ppm). Zamzam water was free of Cadmium, Lead and Zinc, however it recorded low amounts of Copper (0.004 ppm) and undesirable levels of Chromium (0.13 ppm). The level of Chromium detected in the purified River Nile’s water was 0.125 in the tap water and 0.110 ppm in vending machines. On the other hand, the amounts of Zinc were 0.085 and 0.546 ppm in the two water brands, respectively. The heavy metal analysis provided insight into the quality of water sources under investigation. The study discussed the effects of heavy metals on the human health and their effects on the community health in the long term. The study reviewed future aspirations for the management of water resources in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.